Myanmar's Food and Drug Control Department is currently being upgraded and extended, the deputy minister of health announced at the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House of Parliament) session in Naypyitaw on March 4.

“We are not efficient enough when carrying out operations to guarantee a complete prevention of risky food and drugs among the population with our current staff. To improve performance, we plan to extend the Food and Drug Control Department to 600 staff,” said Win Myint, the deputy minister.

The Department currently has an over-stretched staff of 114, he said.

Dr. Htay Aung pointed out at the parliamentary session that the Myanmar food market was flooded with risky products that needed to be more closely monitored.

"Strong actions are needed to be taken on this issue. We really need to make sure harmful chemicals are not being added to foods,” he said._______________________________________________________________________Related articles: